Use Of Organisms Research Articles

The Effects of Multiple Gravity on the Life Cycle of an Insect2

An insect may be one of the most useful and convenient organisms for use in space biology. When the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen was reared through two generations in a centrifuge where it was subjected to a continuous force of 10 times gravity (10 G), the time required to develop from egg to adult was only slightly longer than at normal earth gravitation, but there was a reduced yield of insects.

The Presence in Normal Serum of Inhibiting Substances Against Bacillus subtilis

Sera from 35 normal persons who had received no previous medication were tested for inhibiting substances against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Thirty of the sera (85 per cent) inhibited Bacillus subtilis in dilutions varying up to 1:32, but in no instance was Staphylococcus aureus inhibited. The data presented would indicate that Bacillus subtilis is not a suitable organism for use in the assay of antibiotics in the presence of serum.